The Conservation Fund announces Dovetail Partners Inc. as the first Field Partner for “The ShadeFund,” a new online program designed to spur a greener economy by financing entrepreneurs who use natural resources creatively and responsibly. As a Field Partner, Dovetail will help identify innovative forest-friendly small businesses that could use a leg up.
The Dovetail team aims to foster sustainable and responsible use of natural resources – especially forests – by providing comprehensive information about the impacts and trade-offs of environmental decisions including consumption choices, land use, and policy alternatives. With this expertise, Dovetail is well positioned to help identify sustainable forestry and forest products businesses eligible for ShadeFund loans.
“Dovetail is a respected authority on ecological concerns for resource-based industries, and we are proud to have them on board to help us find the best forest-related businesses in the country,” said ShadeFund’s director, Rick Larson. “Together we can create conservation solutions that spur economic development and reward environmental and social responsibility.”
Established by The Conservation Fund with a lead grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, ShadeFund pools contributions from individuals, companies and foundations across the U.S. to fund green entrepreneurs so they can grow their businesses and create jobs. The loans range from $5,000 to $50,000 and can be used for working capital, as well as for acquisition of materials, supplies, equipment and certification. As entrepreneurs repay their loans, these funds are recycled to provide new loans to green entrepreneurs.
The Conservation Fund’s ShadeFund program stimulates creative conservation and the green economy by investing in sustainable forestry and forest products, ecotourism, natural and organic agriculture, and small-scale renewable energy. An investment from inaugural sponsor Mercedes-Benz USA is funding ShadeFund’s first loans to Connecticut-based City Bench and Bluebird Hill Farm in North Carolina. To apply for a ShadeFund loan or support an entrepreneur visit: www.shadefund.org
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